Transcript: Rex Ryan 12/27/12

Alright, first off, you’re not going to believe this one. Today, Greg McElroy was lifting and experienced headaches. Come to find out that Greg wasn’t exactly truthful with our training staff after the game. He never disclosed any symptoms after the game to our trainers. But right now he’s being evaluated for a concussion and with that, there’s no way I’m going to play him. There’s no doubt. I don’t care what the tests say. We’re going to err on the side of caution there. So we’re definitely, he will be out for the game. So, with that being said, I’m going to start Mark Sanchez and the reason I’m starting Mark is we have two practices and one walk-through to get ready for Buffalo. Mark has had success earlier in the season against Buffalo. He’s very familiar with them and that’s the reason I’m going with Mark. I had the conversation with both Mark and Tim (Tebow) a few minutes ago about what I was going to do. Obviously, Tim’s not happy with that, as you’d expect. But again because of the reasons I stated earlier, that’s why I made the decision to go with Mark. Obviously, it was about 9:30 or so is when I found out about (Greg’s injury), when Greg came in to me. With that being said, I’ll give you the list of injuries right now. We have several guys not practicing today, Dustin Keller with his ankle, Muhammad Wilkerson, concussion (and) knee, Ellis Lankster, concussion, Chaz Schilens, knee, Aaron Berry, hamstring, Braylon Edwards, knee and hamstring, Bryan Thomas, chest, LaRon Landry, heel and hamstring, obviously, Greg McElroy, abdomen and concussion, Joe McKnight, illness and ankle, and that’s a migraine again. All these other players will be full, Kenrick Ellis, knee, Mark Sanchez, low back, Matt Slauson, knee, Jeff Cumberland, wrist, Calvin Pace, shoulder, Nick Mangold, shoulder, Bart Scott, toe, Bilal Powell, shoulder, Garrett McIntyre, elbow, Nick Folk, mid-back, Brandon Moore, hip (and) foot, Tim Tebow, ribs, Sione Po’uha, low back, Robert Malone, illness and Ricky Sapp, ankle.

On his reaction to the quarterback situation…

Well, I was stunned by it. He came in and look, I admire his courage and everything else, but you have to be truthful (with the medical staff), and I think that’s a lesson learned here. The fact he really wanted to play, I understand the competitive side of Greg and all that, but the most important thing is the health of the players. And obviously, I just feel fortunate that something like this showed up without him going out there again and putting himself in harm’s way. But again, was I stunned by it? Yeah, I would say so.

On if the trainers noticed McElroy’s symptoms…

No, Greg noticed the problem and went to the trainers.

On if McElroy told the trainers today that he had been experiencing symptoms the past few days…

Yes. That’s when he was truthful with our training staff.

On if there was any hesitation to choose Sanchez over Tebow…

Well, no, because when I looked at it, you only have two practices left, you have one walk-through and the fact that Mark has had success earlier in the year against them as the points I stated, I thought that this is the right decision.

On if Tebow verbally communicated his disappointment…

Obviously, he’d like a shot at (starting). When you look at it, I think with the situation the way it is, it’s a short window really to get the preparation time in and things. I just think it’s the best for our football team. That doesn’t mean that Tim won’t play in this game, but I’m just more comfortable starting Mark.

On if Tebow and Sanchez will be active and McElroy will be inactive…

Right, yeah, he is going to be out. (McElroy) is out. I don’t care what the tests look like, he’s definitely going to be out.

On what it would take for Tebow to be named the starter…

Well, I think when you look at the circumstances that we’re in, that are playing into this, I think, without question, this is the right decision to start Mark. You’re down to two practices and the fact that in the first game of the year, he had success against Buffalo, he knows Buffalo and I think it’s the right decision.

On if he would have given more consideration to starting Tebow if he had learned about McElroy’s injury earlier Sunday…

Again, you know what, that wasn’t the case and I’d really rather not speculate on that and I hope you can appreciate that.

On if there are any repercussions from the league office for McElroy not disclosing his symptoms to the medical staff…

That’s an interesting question. I’m not sure. I think hopefully this will be an example to all the players because the worst thing that could’ve happened is he would’ve gone out there with nobody knowing how he really felt and hurt himself. That obviously would’ve been the worst situation. But the fact that he was truthful eventually, obviously, not in the time he should’ve been, but hopefully it will be an example to other players that, look, you’re hurting yourself. And obviously that’s what the league’s trying to prevent but the league needs the help of the players as well to let this protocol work and I think that’s important.

On whether McElroy tried lobby to play…

No, I never gave him that (option), so there was no sense doing that. Sometimes as a coach, you have to take care of your players. Obviously, this was a situation where if I know the guy is struggling. I’m not going to put him in there, period.

On whether he chose Sanchez to start because the game plan was already installed…

It was more based on the facts I already mentioned about Mark having success earlier this year (against Buffalo) and the prep time. It has nothing to do with any other factors.

On when he told Sanchez and Tebow who would start…

I told them together in the hallway. They were in meetings. I don’t know if they assumed that this was going to happen or this was going to take place because Greg wasn’t in the meeting. I saw them in the hallway and that’s when I talked to them.

On whether players might hide concussion symptoms in order to keep playing…

I don’t deny that that could be a possibility, but I think with all the information out there about concussions now, players need to be honest. The training staffs, I don’t care how good they are, the medical staffs, and how good the protocol is of the National Football League, you need to be honest. It’s set up for you. You can’t tell. I don’t think anybody could tell. It’s obviously extremely important that players are honest with the medical staff.

On if McElroy’s situation makes him think what else players may have hidden from him…

It’s tough, but with your point about our players, in Greg’s situation, he was the third-string quarterback given an opportunity to compete as a starting quarterback, I can understand you want that opportunity. Every player in this league wants that opportunity, but the health of each player in this league should be the most important thing. Whether that happens, I don’t know. I think you can just try to educate your players as best you can. I don’t know how you can relieve the anxiety that may exist, that, ‘Hey, you’re not going to get another opportunity,’ or, ‘You’re going to be passed over.’ I don’t know how you can do that, but again, the health is the most important thing and I’m talking (about) long-term health as well.

On if he will mention to his players the importance of being honest about injuries…

Absolutely, after practice, I’ll bring it up.

On if he knows when exactly the injuryto McElroy may have occurred…

Not yet, I haven’t talked to J-Mel (Head Athletic Trainer John Melody) about it or anyone else. We haven’t done that yet. Again, when it occurred, I have no idea.

On whether McElroy gave him any indication on when the injury may have occurred…

No.

On whether McElroy was the only one that told him…

No, Greg and John (Mellody) came into my office and told me.

On how big of an opportunity the Buffalo game is for Sanchez…

I think it’d be huge. Any competitor would be excited about getting another opportunity. I know he believes in himself and I think any competitor would want this opportunity.

On whether he can understand Tebow’s frustration…

I can understand. There’s no doubt, I can definitely understand the frustrations of not getting the opportunity to play as much as I’m sure he would have liked. The fact that our team has struggled, I’m sure there are some frustrations there and I certainly understand that.

On whether he can address the conversation he had with Tebow last week…

I’m going to stay with what I said before, if Tim wants to address it (he can).

On his belief that Tebow would have gone into the game if he asked him to do something…

Again, I’ll stand by exactly what I said, I believe if Tim would have been asked to do something, he would have gone into that game and done it. Right now, in this game, I feel like whatever we ask Tim to do, he’s going to do it. Is he disappointed about not starting this game? Absolutely. But in my opinion, Tim will do whatever is asked of him.

On the conversation with Tebow last week…

I’m not going to get into any specifics of that. I’m going to keep that conversation private. I’m comfortable with my answer. Maybe nobody else is, but I am, and I’ll just leave it at that.

On whether Wilkerson will play…

I think Mo (Wilkerson) is going to play. I think the next step, he just has one more test to pass and then we’ll see how it goes. Him and Ellis both, I think have passed some of the test requirements. I believe there’s one more test that both of them have to pass, but I’m hopeful that they’ll both be able to play.

On whether he downgraded the statuses of Thomas and Edwards…

I think Bryan Thomas (did not participate in practice), I believe yesterday as well. Then Braylon, I believe (did not participate in practice). I thought he would have played (in practice yesterday), but his knee kind of flared up there. Hopefully, he’ll be able to go. I’m not saying he’s out of the game. I’m hoping that he’s going to be able to play. Obviously, with LaRon, that’s been a common thing that we do during the week, so I feel good about him playing.

On whether he knows the grade of McElroy’s injury…

No, I think he’s just now being evaluated. I don’t even know what the tests are going to say, but I think, right now, he’s going through those evaluations.

On what he saw from the team in practice yesterday and his confidence for Sunday…

We had a great practice, and as you guys know, we were out there in (poor weather) conditions. As the team periods went on, the conditions got worse and worse, so in preparing for Buffalo, I think it was good to go out there because you never know how those conditions are going to be. I thought it was a spirited practice. I thought it was an excellent practice, so I expect our team to go out and not just give a great effort, but play well.

On why McElroy will definitely be out when Wilkerson might play…

To have those kinds of symptoms and all that type of stuff because once you do the weightlifting, it’s strenuous activity, and he’s going to have (those symptoms), I’m not going to do that. There’s no way. With Mo’s situation, Mo I think felt he could have practiced, but he had to go through the test. That’s why I feel confident Mo will be able to play.

On how much the Buffalo game will weigh in the evaluation of Sanchez or if he will evaluate the entire season…

We’ll definitely go back and evaluate the whole season. After the Buffalo game, there’s no question we’ll go back and look at the entire season.

On if McElroy had symptoms other than headaches…

He had headaches and when he came into my office, he had a towel around him. You could tell he wasn’t feeling too well. There’s no question about it, with John Mellody there. Again, I believe it was just headaches. I’m not sure if there were other symptoms as well.

On whether McElroy indicated he may have blacked out during the game…

No, nobody knew (about McElroy experiencing symptoms during the game). If anything would have happened like that, our trainers (and our doctors) would have acted immediately. But no, that wasn’t this case.

On if this is the strangest season he’s had as a coach…

I would say that’s pretty accurate, and we’ve had some strange ones. (laughter)

Jets defense shows progress in dominant performance against Dolphins

1:00PM

Share:

(Robert Deutsch)

Jets head coach Todd Bowles believes his defensive unit made big improvements in the team's win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

The Jets let up 45 points to the Raiders a week ago, but it didn't look like a defense that allowed that many points on Sunday. The Dolphins couldn't get anything going offensively, and Bowles believes it was because the team played together.

Erin Henderson suing Jets for wrongful termination

Sep 25 | 11:00PM

Share:

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles watches his team play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) (Adrian Kraus/AP)

Bowles happy team was united for anthem, wants focus to be on issues

Todd Bowles and the Jets made their statement about President Donald Trump and what's happening in this country when they locked arms on the sidelines during the national anthem on Sunday afternoon. Now the Jets coach wants the world's focus to be on the issues and solutions, not on all the inflammatory Tweets and words.

That was his message on Monday when asked for his feelings about the president's remarks, when he said that players who kneel during the anthem should be fired and labeled them a "son of a bitch."

Read More

Share:

Josh McCown efficient in Jets win over Dolphins Sunday

Sep 25 | 2:49PM

Share:

September 24, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) passes the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports (Kyle Terada)

Jets QB Josh McCown led the offense in the team's first win of the season over the Dolphins, 20-6, on Sunday.

It was his first home game as a Jet, and McCown didn't disappoint. He was accurate, moved the ball around his receiving corps, and most importantly, he impressed head coach Todd Bowles.

"I thought he was very effecient," Bowles told Jets.com's Eric Allen. "Josh has been playing good for about three weeks in a row now. He controls the offense and he sees things. He's playing smart football."

Kearse: 'We're going to continue to fight the good fight together'

Sep 24 | 9:45PM

Share:

FNNY: Anthem protests in NFL00:03:05

Taylor Rooks, Marc Malusis and Sal Licata react to NFL teams protesting the national anthem and discuss what players and owners had to say.

From players on the field to acting owner Christopher Johnson and GM Mike Maccagnan, the New York Jets all locked arms during the national anthem before Sunday's 20-6 win over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in protest of President Donald Trump's comments from a few days ago.

The Jets had a team meeting Saturday and decided they would lock arms and stand for the anthem as a team. Groups of players from each team around the league on Sunday either locked arms or knelt during the anthem after Trump referred to NFL players who protested the national anthem as a "son of a bitch" and said they should be fired.

Johnson, who is the team's acting owner while his brother, Jets owner Woody Johnson, serves as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom in the Trump administration, released a statement saying it was an "honor and a privilege" to join the players on the field on Sunday.

Jets Post Game Overtime: Jets defeat Dolphins, 20-6

Sep 24 | 6:38PM

The Jets Post Game crew keeps the analysis going, handing out report cards from the Jets' 20-6 win over Miami in their home opener.

Read More

Share:

Jets' defense leads the way in 20-6 win over Dolphins

Sep 24 | 4:25PM

Share:

Bowles, McCown discuss win00:02:17

Todd Bowles and Josh McCown reflect on the Jets' first win of the season, a resounding 20-6 victory over Miami.

All that dismal 0-16 talk is over. And, the New York Jets ended it early with a stunningly dominant performance.

Josh McCown threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson, Bilal Powell ran for a score, and the Jets' defense frustrated Jay Cutler and the Miami Dolphins in a 20-6 victory Sunday in New York's home opener.

"Oh, man, it was awesome," McCown said. "It was special."

Read More

Share:

Jets lock arms during national anthem before game against Dolphins

Sep 24 | 1:24PM

Share:

September 24, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets players lock arms during the national anthem before the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports (Kyle Terada)

Jets players locked arms during the national anthem on Sunday ahead of their game against the Dolphins.

Acting owner Christopher Johnson and general manager Mike Maccagnan joined the players by locking arms with them on the field.

Read More

Share:

Wilkerson, Seferian-Jenkins active for Jets in Week 3

Sep 24 | 12:39PM

Share:

New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) celebrates with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) (Adrian Kraus/AP)

DE Muhammad Wilkerson and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins will suit up for the Jets' Week 3 game against the Dolphins

Wilkerson missed practices during the week with a shoulder injury after suffering a shoulder injury during the team's Week 2 loss to the Raiders. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins will return following his two-game suspension at the beginning of the season.

Vacc's 3 Keys to a Jets win over the Dolphins

Sep 24 | 9:30AM

SNY NFL Insider Ralph Vacchiano discusses his three keys to a Jets' victory vs. the Miami Dolphins in Week 3.

SNY NFL Insider Ralph Vacchiano discusses his three keys to a Jets victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 3.

Read More

Share:

The Jet Stream: Limo stealing and Carr-jacking

Sep 24 | 9:15AM

Share:

In the latest episode of The Jet Stream, Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon look back at the Week 2 loss in Oakland, and discuss what the Jets need to do to secure their first win of the season. Later, Jonas and Willie debut two of the show's newest segments, "Willie's Story Time" and "How being an NFL player is better than being you."

Click below to listen!

Read More

Share:

Buster Skrine docked $24,309 for helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday

Sep 23 | 10:32AM

Share:

(Stan Szeto)

Jets CB Buster Skrine was fined $24,309 after being penalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Raiders.

In the third quarter, Skrine picked up on a short pass to RB DeAndre Washington, but he caught Washington with his helmet first resulting in a penalty that set up a 43-yard touchdown for the Raiders.

Jets' Wilkerson didn't practice Wednesday, but expects to play against Dolphins

Sep 20 | 6:18PM

Share:

New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) looks to the fans prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (bruised shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but he believes he'll be ready to play against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Wilkerson suffered the injury during last week's matchup in Oakland, but does not think the bruise is too serious. Head coach Todd Bowles also said he doesn't believe the injury will keep Wilkerson out of action.

Below is the rest of the Jets' injury reportfrom Wednesday's practice:

Christopher Johnson says Jets aren't tanking

Sep 20 | 1:30PM

Share:

(Brad Penner)

Christopher Johnson, the Jets' acting owner as his brother Woody Johnson serves as Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Donald Trump, says the team isn't tanking.

"It couldn't be further from the truth," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. "I want to win every game. Every player in that locker room wants to win. What you're seeing, I think, are growing pains. These are young guys. There are some older guys on the team. Some of them, they're doing an extraordinary job. But I think you're going to see this team get better and better and better. That's what I'm looking for. And we are definitely not tanking."

The Jets, who have started the season 0-2 and are expected to have one ot the worst records in the NFL this season, trimmed the roster of the majority of their veterans during the offseason.

Jets defense focused on positives found in blowout to Raiders

Sep 19 | 3:15PM

Sep 17, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) picks up a first down before being tackled by New York Jets outside linebacker Darron Lee (58) in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports (Cary Edmondson)

The Jets defense may have allowed 45 points to the Raiders this past Sunday, but they are not embarrassed as they believe the unit as taken positive steps forward.

The Raiders racked up 410 total yards as they had both the run and pass game working in their home opener. Though it was a bad performance, LB Darron Lee spoke about why there were no heads hung in the locker room following the game.

Bent, theJetsBlog.comFollow on Twitter: The Jets surprisingly hung around for the better part of three quarters, but eventually the game slipped away from them and the Raiders came away with the anticipated blowout win. Aside from a couple of ill-timed turnovers, the run defense was the biggest issue in yesterday's game...

BGA: Analyzing the Jets' defense in their Week 2 loss

By Bent | Sep 19 | 9:00AM

The Jets surprisingly hung around for the better part of three quarters, but eventually the game slipped away from them and the Raiders came away with the anticipated blowout win. Aside from a couple of ill-timed turnovers, the run defense was the biggest issue in yesterday's game.

Let's break down the performances on the defensive side of the ball from the Jets' 45-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 2...